TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis is a racket sport, which means that a player’s main weapon at hand is his paddle.
Putting aside skills, techniques, and footwork for the moment, one of the most initial and basic
things a player has to learn is how to actually wield his weapon, i.e. the ping pong paddle or table
tennis racket. But before one learns about angles and swinging, one of the most foundational
choices a player has to make, or one that is made for him by his coach or trainer, is how to hold
the racket.

Performing the proper grip is essential when playing table tennis especially for beginners because
it controls the angle of the paddle, therefore managing the direction, speed, depth, and spin of the
ball. You need to have a neutral grip position so you can change from forehand to backhand or
vice versa with fast speed.

The Shakehand Grip

In popular Western media, such as television series or movies, people who play ping pong are
almost always shown to be holding it with their index fingers on the side of the paddle directly
facing the body, and the thumb resting on top of the other fingers which are encircled around the
blade handle. This is known as the shakehand grip. It is called a shakehand grip because the blade
rests on the V-shape created by one’s thumb and index finger, and save for the other three fingers,
this grip will make it look like one is about to shake hands with someone. The index finger should
lie roughly parallel with the edge of the rubber at the base of the flat paddle area where one hits
the ball. This type of grip is more popular with Western players. Virtually every European player
and a majority of Asian players use this grip.

The shakehands grip is the most versatile, the most popular, and the most recommended. Here is
how to grip the racket, shakehands style:

1. With the blade perpendicular to the floor, grasp the racket as if you were shaking hands.
2. Extend your index finger along the bottom of the blade surface, with the thumb on the
surface on the other side.

The thumb should be slightly bent and should rest so that the thumbnail is perpendicular to the
hitting surface (the fleshy pad of the thumb is not touching the racket). The blade should rest in
the crook ofthe thumb and forefinger, about a quarterinch to the index-finger side, although this
can be varied. The index finger should be near the bottom ofthe racket and notstickingup toward
the tip. The thumb should not stick up on the racket too much (although some players do so to hit
a backhand, switching back for the forehand).

With this grip you now have two anchors-the thumb and index finger, and the last three fingers
around the handle. Also, the blade should rest on the middle finger for further support. With these
anchors in place, the blade is very stable.
STRENGTHS

• Most versatile grip

• Only grip that allows an effective backhand loop
• Best grip for backhand
• Best grip for off-the-table play
• Best grip for defensive play
• Very strong on shots to the comers

WEAKNESSES

• Weak against shots to the middle

• Difficult to use wrist on some shots

DETECTING SHAKEHANDS GRIP ERRORS

Players can play reasonably well with an incorrect grip. However, many matches will then revolve
around players' attempts to compensate for any weaknesses in their grip. If you start out with a
correct grip you will have an advantage. So, make sure you aren't guilty of any of the following
errors.